All posts by z3u9t.icu

After Liverpool lost for the second time in the space of a few days courtesy of Galatasaray, Jamie Carragher has called for one of Arne Slot’s biggest stars to be dropped.

Slot "disappointed" again by Liverpool

After needing late goals in several of their opening games to salvage victory, something seemed off about the Premier League champions. They looked vulnerable and defeat seemed inevitable. The late goal simply wasn’t always going to arrive. And, as expected, Crystal Palace have since exposed that uncomfortable fact for Slot’s side.

The Eagles stole the late show from the Reds to hand them their first defeat at the weekend and Galatasaray have now followed suit to deal Slot back-to-back defeats for just the second time in his Liverpool career. For many, the decision to award Galatasaray a first-half penalty was contentious, but that shouldn’t have been that for Liverpool, who never truly reacted to going behind.

Having his say on his side’s defeat, Slot told reporters: “Again, disappointed. For me, this was a different performance on and off the ball [than Crystal Palace]. First half, we played quite well and had a big chance to go 1-0 up.

“It is difficult to compare this situation to before. We are sometimes a bit outsmarted in situations like this, and I cannot blame Dominik Szoboszlai for the situation. They make a 20% penalty a 100% penalty, which is very smart from them.”

Liverpool star who's "on par with Salah & VVD" had his worst game under Slot

Liverpool endured a night to forget as they were beaten by Galatasaray in the Champions League.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 1, 2025

It doesn’t get any easier for the Reds, either. They travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and club legend Carragher has already called on one player to be dropped against the Blues.

Carragher calls for Liverpool to drop Wirtz

In a brutal assessment, Carragher called for Liverpool to drop Florian Wirtz “right now” following another disappointing display from the £200,000-a-week German. The former Bayer Leverkusen star is without a goal or assist since the Community Shield and is struggling to get up to speed at Anfield.

Whether it’s been out wide or in midfield, it’s hard to argue with Carragher’s verdict. Something is wrong with this Liverpool side and it’s only natural that the blame goes the way of the £116m midfielder who hasn’t contributed since Wembley.

Slot certainly has a big decision to make. A few, in fact. As the Chelsea game approaches, Liverpool must lay down a marker as Premier League champions.

Leeds United are still in the market to add more quality to their squad before the summer transfer window officially slams shut at the start of September.

The Whites have set about bolstering their defence and midfield so far, with the additions of Jaka Bijol, Lucas Perri, and Sean Longstaff, among others, and now it is time to focus on the attack.

It will be interesting to see what areas of the attack the Championship champions look to strengthen in, as it may be telling as to who Daniel Farke believes has the quality to make the step up as a regular starter in the Premier League within the current squad.

Anton Stach’s brilliant strike against AC Milan on Saturday, as shown in the clip above, suggests that he could offer a goal threat from midfield, but Leeds also need goals from their forward line.

Leeds eyeing deal for Bundesliga winger

The Whites are reportedly looking at a move for a new attacking option who could come in to trouble Dan James for his spot in the team on the right.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to The Boot Room, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs that are lining up a potential deal to sign Nathan Tella from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The report claims that the West Yorkshire outfit sent scouts to watch the Nigeria international in action against Chelsea in a friendly on Friday, with a view to a possible move for him.

It adds that Forest, Brighton, Brentford, and Burnley also had scouts in attendance, although Forest are the only side specifically said to be keen on Tella, along with Leeds.

Why Leeds should sign Nathan Tella

The Whites should swoop to bring the forward, who was signed for £20m from Burnley in 2023, to Elland Road because he could come in as an upgrade on Dan James.

As aforementioned, Leeds need to find players who can score goals in the Premier League next season, and Tella’s form for Leverkusen and Burnley suggests that he has the potential to provide more than the Welshman in front of goal at the top level.

The Nigerian forward has scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in the last two seasons in all competitions, including seven goals in the Bundesliga in that time.

James, meanwhile, scored two goals and provided one assist in 24 matches in the Premier League in his last season at the top level with Fulham in the 2022/23 campaign.

Appearances

39

36

Goals

17

12

Big chances missed

7

7

Conversion rate

24%

12%

Minutes per goal

148

218

Goals from inside the box

15

10

Goals from outside the box

2

2

As you can see in the table above, the Leverkusen forward’s season in the Championship with Burnley was far more prolific than the Leeds winger’s last term.

Tella, who was described as “sensational” by U23 scout Antonio Mango during his time with the Clarets, has shown in a top five league – in the Bundesliga – and in the Championship that he has the potential to offer a greater threat in front of goal than James.

Celtic can finally replace Jota with swoop for "flamboyant" £6m "dribbler"

Celtic could finally replace the injured Jota with a swoop for this reported transfer target.

ByDan Emery Aug 10, 2025

Although he is unproven in the Premier League, the 26-year-old wing wizard appears to have the potential and pedigree to come in as an upgrade on James on the right flank as a goalscoring threat.

Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves looking to build on a mixed campaign last term and are now in the picture to sign a highly-coveted striker, according to a report.

Wolverhampton Wanderers want to kick on after Jhon Arias arrival

Adding some much-needed flair after Matheus Cunha’s departure, Jhon Arias has joined Wolves from Fluminense and has explained that the success of his compatriots at Molineux helped to sell the idea of a move to the Premier League.

He stated: “It’s a project I believe in. They showed me the plans, and there are top players there – I don’t even need to mention André or João Gomes, who came from Flamengo.

“I believe in the squad and in the manager’s work. I know what they expect from me, and I’m ready to give 100%.”

Vitor Pereira has been a breath of fresh air since arriving in the West Midlands, though more reinforcements are needed to ensure the Old Gold can evade being dragged into a relegation scrap.

With that in mind, Almeria full-back Marc Pubill was picked to replace Wolves defender Nelson Semedo, with the latter set to depart to bring an end to a protracted goodbye for the Portugal international. However, the Spaniard has instead joined Atletico Madrid.

Aston Villa now racing Wolves to sign "quality" £40m Ligue 1 goalscorer

Aston Villa are among several Premier League teams interested…

ByBrett Worthington Jul 23, 2025

Not to be deterred, Real Betis winger Pablo Garcia could also come in at Molineux after a bid was submitted for his signature, albeit they are competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona to sign the 19-year-old.

Either way, there is plenty of movement on incomings starting to occur at Wolves, which will please supporters after a slow start to the window.

Now, the Old Gold have turned their attention towards strengthening their forward line despite signing Jorgen Strand Larsen on a permanent deal.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fighting to sign Idrissa Gueye

According to L’Equipe, Wolves are one of a number of clubs in the mix for FC Metz striker Idrissa Gueye, who could be set to exit France only months after joining the Ligue 2 club from Génération Foot.

Intriguingly, up to ten clubs are keen on signing the 18-year-old. Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, West Ham United and Southampton are also among his admirers.

Idrissa Gueye at FC Metz – 2024/25 in all competitions

Appearances

20

Goals

5

Assists

1

Metz are keen to recoup a hefty fee of around £17 million for the teenager. Nevertheless, they will listen to offers that near the £13 million mark for the young striker.

Previously, Gueye has been likened to Olivier Giroud by his club’s director of football Frederic Arpinon. At the same time, comparisons to compatriot Sadio Mane have also come to the fore as his rise continues.

Admittedly, the Mbour-born man is likely to be a signing with the future in mind, but there is no harm in Wolves adding another layer of variety to their frontline ahead of another exciting season for all involved at Molineux.

Sunderland might well have been slapped in the face recently with Armand Lauriente’s move to the club falling through at the last minute, but it’s still been a largely successful transfer window to date, truth be told.

Indeed, the Black Cats of yesteryear, who were marooned in League One, could only dream of the millions now being splashed to upgrade the side all over the pitch, with Habib Diarra the main standout purchase at a club-record £30m fee.

Excited Sunderland supporters had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Diarra in action against Sevilla last Saturday, alongside fellow fresh recruits in the form of Chemsdine Talbi and Simon Adingra, as the Wearside outfit continue to gain more valuable minutes ahead of the brand new Premier League season starting.

However, even with the new signing count coming in at six, it doesn’t look as if Regis Le Bris and Co are done and dusted with all their summer activity just yet, as more rumours are relentlessly churned out.

Sunderland continue negotiations with £22m star

The newly promoted side would love nothing more than to bounce back with another statement deal shortly, off the back of Lauriente’s deal collapsing.

Le Bris could soon welcome in some new defensive bodies to his ever-expanding camp, with ex-Aston Villa centre-back Diego Carlos reportedly taking up some space on the Premier League side’s rumoured shopping list, alongside Igor Julio being touted to potentially copy Adingra by leaving Brighton and Hove Albion behind for Wearside.

Yet, they aren’t completely done in the attacking positions, either, as journalist Loïc Tanzi now reveals via X that the ambitious Black Cats are locked in negotiations with wantaway Leicester City midfielder Bilal El Khannouss over a summer switch.

It’s stated that Sunderland want a cheaper deal than the £22.5m one on the table, which is the Moroccan ace’s release clause, with Nottingham Forest and Villa also named as being in the intense race to land the 21-year-old’s services, alongside admirers from France in the form of AS Monaco.

Once noted as being on Arsenal’s list of targets, too, it’s clear that the Foxes youngster has a bright future in the game away from Leicester’s recent relegation mess, with the 5-foot-11 star ready to take the Premier League by storm under Le Bris’ wing, alongside an equally silky Adingra.

Why El Khannouss could be a dream for Adingra

Much like El Khannouss now being eyed up, Adingra would have been purchased knowing he has what it takes to become an exceptional talent in the Premier League in the long run, having shown significant flashes of his excellence for the Seagulls over his two seasons at the elite level.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Despite only being gifted 12 Premier League starts last campaign under Fabian Hurzeler, the electric Ivorian would still prove his worth with two goals and two assists coming his way.

His debut season in England also saw him labelled as an “explosive” talent by analyst Ben Mattinson – menace up top from limited opportunities, as seen in his six-goal tally in league action, despite only amassing an xG of 4.31.

Games played

32

Goals scored

2

Assists

3

Touches per game

42.5

Accurate passes per game

42.5 (80%)

Key passes per game

1.3

Big chances created

8

He might well be able to reach these same impressive heights again when partnered next to El Khannouss at the Stadium of Light, therefore, with the Moroccan playmaker going down as a standout creative menace for the Foxes even as they depressingly succumbed to relegation, resulting in El Khannouss coming out of the bleak season with his head held high after creating a hefty eight big chances.

This follows on from the 21-year-old’s mighty haul of 21 big chances being created in total for ex-side Genk in Jupiler Pro League action, with this same flair perhaps coming to the forefront once more if he excels in another relegation-threatened environment at Sunderland.

Adingra would love to latch onto some killer through balls, such as the superb assist he managed above when donning Genk blue, as the pair prepare to terrorise Premier League defences together.

Further lauded as a “sensational prospect” by the aforementioned Mattinson, Le Bris will hope he can get the very best out of El Khannouss as well as Adingra, with any relegation concerns hopefully pushed to one side with ease as a result.

Better than Lauriente: Sunderland make contact to sign "crazy" £34m star

Sunderland could seal a better signing than Armand Lauriente at the Stadium of Light.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 20, 2025

Rangers’ busy summer spending spree continues at Ibrox. Indeed, since Russell Martin’s appointment at Ibrox, the Gers have made six new signings to date, most recently bringing in Nasser Djiga on a season-long loan.

He follows Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell, Emmanuel Fernandez and Thelo Aasgaard through the arrivals’ door at Rangers, but are the Glasgow giants now going to get their hands on a vastly experienced new centre-back?

Rangers aiming to bolster their back line

The start of Rangers’ season is now fast approaching.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Last Sunday, the Gers faced Club Brugge in a pre-season friendly, fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Club Brugge at home, thanks to second-half goals from Mohamed Diomandé and then youngster Findlay Curtis.

No such defensive sloppiness can be afforded in just ten nights’ time when the Light Blues commence Champions League qualifying, welcoming Panathinaikos to Govan, hence why Martin is targeting even more new signings this week.

Thus, according to a report by Sky Sports News, Rangers remain interested in signing Conor Coady from Leicester City.

Earlier in the window, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider claimed that the Gers were ‘in advanced talks’ with the Foxes, as they attempted to sign the centre-back, but this is yet to come to fruition.

As outlined by Rob Tanner of the Athletic, Leicester are actively looking to get some of their highest earners off the books, following their relegation back to the EFL Championship, so will surely be quite accommodating, as they too want this deal to get over the line.

Thus, it remains very possible that Coady will make the move to Rangers but, with Panathinaikos on the horizon, Martin will be eager for this deal to get done sooner rather than later.

How Conor Coady would improve Rangers defence

Right now, Rangers have seven senior centre-backs on their books, although this could be down to six, after a bid was accepted for Robin Pröpper, who is seemingly on his way back to FC Twente, as confirmed by Martin.

So, here are the options Martin currently has in his squad.

John Souttar

28

2022

94

Ben Davies

29

2022

58

Clinton Nsiala

21

2024

13

Leon King

21

2020*

42

Nasser Djiga

22

2025

Zero

Emmanuel Fernandez

23

2025

Zero

*King made his senior debut in 2020.

As the table outlines, there is not a huge amount of experience among Rangers’ current central-defenders but, given that he played in both the Champions League for Crvena zvezda and the Premier League for Wolves last season, Djiga has surely arrived to be first-choice.

Alongside, John Souttar is probably in pole position to partner the new arrival, having made 40 appearances for the club last season, accumulating 3,411 minutes, the most he has ever enjoyed in a single campaign of his injury-blighted senior career.

Thus, Coady’s potential arrival would probably be particularly bad news for the Scotland international, banishing him to the bench.

James Tarkowski, who played alongside Coady at Everton, labelled him a “great leader”, while his manager at Goodison, Sean Dyche, heralded his “immaculate” professionalism.

Meantime, Adam McNulty of Breaking the Lines praised his ability ‘to pick out a runner’, documenting his outstanding distribution, supported by the fact that, in the 2019/20 Premier League season, Coady completed more accurate long passes than anybody else.

Given that new manager Martin’s style of play prioritises control through possession, this could be an invaluable asset to have at the back.

But how do his statistics compare to those of Souttar? Let’s find out.

Appearances

43

40

Minutes

3,103

3,411

Passes Attempted

73.45

56.95

Passing Accuracy %

92.48%

86.4%

Forward Passes

25.6

20.9

Tackles Made

0.8

0.8

Aerial duel success %

51.91%

68.06%

Ground duel success %

57.22%

69.43%

Clearances

3.6

6.9

Interceptions

0.9

0.7

Ball recoveries

3.5

2.7

Touches

81.9

70.45

First and foremost, it is worth noting that the last two seasons were included for Coady due to his lack of action at Leicester, thereby providing a larger sample size.

With that in mind, the Englishman comes out on top for the vast majority of metrics included when compared to Souttar, notably attempting, on average, 17 more passes per 90, as well as five more forward passes.

Defensively too, Coady accumulated more interceptions and ball recoveries, while taking 11 more touches per game, underlining that he is a good fit for a Rangers team who, domestically, dominate possession but, in Europe, are forced to do a lot more defending.

Thus, this signing appears to be an absolute no-brainer for the Light Blues, one that they should do everything in their power to finalise as soon as possible.

Rangers could land Ryan Kent 2.0 with Ibrox move for "incredible" star

Russell Martin could be eyeing another loan signing at Rangers…

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 11, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur face a huge task ahead of them in 2025/26, desperately needing to build on the success they enjoyed in the final months of last season.

The Lilywhites claimed the Europa League title with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao, subsequently ending their 17-year drought without any form of silverware.

However, the triumph in Europe is evidence that the club can compete at the top level, with Thomas Frank needing to continue the excellent work done by former boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Dane has the opportunity to take the side to the next level, but he will need to be an immediate success in the Premier League and prevent a repeat of the 15th-place finish in 2024/25.

Unsurprisingly, changes are to be expected in North London, needing to make the additions he craves if he is to be a success during his first year at the helm.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Mohammed Kudus is one attacker who’s been strongly linked with a move to join Spurs this window, as Frank looks to bolster the frontline at his disposal.

It was reported in recent days that the Lilywhites have had their first offer for the 24-year-old rejected, but they are still closely monitoring the West Ham United star.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix in recent days, with Aston Villa youngster Jacob Ramsey firmly on their radar, according to Football Insider.

They claim that the Lilywhites have been monitoring the 24-year-old in recent times and have now entered talks with his agent over a move to North London.

It also states that Frank has previously been a huge admirer of the Englishman, potentially looking to take advantage of their financial situation, with a £40m price tag being mooted for the attacker.

Why Spurs’ £40m target would be Frank’s next Mbeumo

Bryan Mbeumo is a player who has managed to take his career to the next level under Frank’s guidance in recent years, subsequently developing into one of the Premier League’s leading stars.

The Cameroonian international spent six years under the Dane’s guidance, with the manager undoubtedly playing a huge role in his rise to stardom over the last few months.

The 25-year-old managed to net 20 league goals last season, in what was the best goalscoring campaign of his career, being only one of five players in the division to hit such a tally.

He’s been on the Lilywhites’ radar to potentially follow Frank to North London this summer, but it appears as though he’s set to move to Manchester United after stating his desire to join the Red Devils.

However, as seen with their attempts to land Kudus in this window, Frank wants a new forward, potentially opening the door to a move to land fellow target Ramsey.

Whilst the Englishman hasn’t managed to nail down a place in Unai Emery’s side, he’s still managed to produce numerous impressive figures that have been better than Mbeumo’s in 2024/25.

The Villa star, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has thrived with the ball at his feet, completing more progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes per 90, having the tools to provide those around him with chances in North London.

Games played

29

38

Goals & assists

4

27

Progressive passes

3.8

3.7

Pass accuracy

85%

66%

Key passes made

1.8

1.6

Take-on success

54%

46%

Carries into final third

1.9

1.8

Aerials won

35%

31%

He’s also completed more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst registering a higher tally of carries into the final third per 90, offering a constant threat to the opposition backline.

Ramsey’s dominance doesn’t end there, winning more aerials, potentially handing Frank an all-round option within the final third, and potentially being a bargain at £40m.

Now that the PSR deadline has passed, it remains unclear whether Villa will be willing to part ways with the youngster, but he would be a superb signing and one that would transform the Lilywhites’ attack.

If he could carry over his form from the Midlands to the capital, it would be a sensational piece of business, handing Frank a star who could emulate the success of Mbeumo under his guidance.

Frank's answer to Bale: Spurs make "generational" £70m ace their top target

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be putting their focus on a deal to land one attacking star.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jul 3, 2025

Newcastle United enter the market looking to build on the success of last campaign and now find themselves in the mix for a young defender who could add another layer of solidity under Eddie Howe, according to a report.

Newcastle United see bid turned down for Anthony Elanga

Some Premier League fans could’ve been forgiven for wondering if there was much transfer business going on at the Magpies at an early stage in the window, but it is clear that signs of life are starting to show as Eddie Howe scours the market.

David Ornstein delivered some intriguing news yesterday, detailing that Newcastle have saw a bid in the region of £45 million turned down for Anthony Elanga and also revealing Nottingham Forest’s stance on the Sweden international.

He stated on social media platform X: “Newcastle make offer to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. Bid in region of £45m. NFFC rejected without counter; no intention of selling Sweden int’l. NUFC considering whether to maintain pursuit or focus on other targets.”

Between the sticks, Newcastle are in advanced talks to sign Burnley stopper James Trafford for £30 million and could finally bring a long-winded saga to acquire the England Under-21 international to an end if all goes to plan.

Marcus Rashford is also a potential Magpies arrival on loan, albeit that may hinge on whether Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro opts for St James’ Park or Stamford Bridge.

Newcastle and PIF in contact to sign £300k-a-week Champions League winner

He was once called “best player” in the Premier League.

2 ByHenry Jackson Jun 24, 2025

All in all, there is plenty to be encouraged about in the North East, though supporters will be desperate to see more movement occur over the coming weeks ahead of the Magpies’ pre-season preparations.

They may well get their wish, with Newcastle now in the hunt for a central defender who had starred at the recent UEFA Under-21 EURO Championships.

Newcastle enter race to sign Cesar Tarrega

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Newcastle, led by Howe, are looking to sign Cesar Tarrega from Valencia and there is also further interest in his services from unnamed Premier League clubs as well as in Italy from Bologna.

Standing at 6 foot 4, the 23-year-old made 38 appearances across all competitions last season, registering two goals and a solitary assist from central defence. His camp are aware of interest in his services.

Cesar Tarrega in La Liga – per 90 min (FBRef)

Tackles

1.46

Interceptions

0.65

Blocks

1.22

Clearances

6.60

Aerial duels won

2.59

His Serie A admirers view him as a potential replacement for Jhon Lucimi, though he reportedly wants to sign a contract extension at his current club, where he is tied to until the summer of 2028.

Appearing three times for Spain at the Under-21 European Championships, Tarrega’s stock is rising and Newcastle are now minded to convince him that a move to the North East would be the most beneficial for his development.

Juggling both domestic and European endeavours won’t be easy for the Magpies, so it makes sense to add strength in depth to lead the fight on all fronts in 2025/26.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to tackle the summer transfer market following the confirmed arrival of Thomas Frank as Ange Postecoglou’s replacement in the dugout.

Tottenham announce as Thomas Frank as their new manager

Spurs were repeatedly linked with Frank after chairman Daniel Levy made the tough decision to sack Postecoglou, with the Australian helping to end their 17-year wait for a major trophy but also guiding them to 22 Premier League defeats last season.

Tottenham may be offered "quick" £26m defender in Radu Dragusin swap deal

Spurs apparently agreed a deal for him in January.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

On Thursday evening, Frank was officially unveiled as the Lilywhites’ fifth manager since 2019, after Spurs triggered his £10 million release clause and reached an agreement on his backroom staff.

“Thomas has extensive experience in English football having joined Brentford in 2016 – since becoming one of the longest-serving current managers in the Premier League,” a club statement said.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“During his time at Brentford he transformed the Club, moving them up from the Championship to an established Premier League side, consistently and significantly outperforming expectations for an extended period of time.

“In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game. He has a proven track record in player and squad development, and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.”

On paper, Frank is arguably a perfect for the north Londoners, having worked wonders with limited resources at Brentford whilst also operating under a data-driven recruitment model.

However, the Dane also has zero experience managing a team of this magnitude, nor does he boast any silverware or Champions League know-how, yet he is the man who is about to lead Tottenham into Europe’s most prestigious competition next term.

If Frank is to become a success at Spurs, Levy will need to back him in the transfer market, and this summer is set to be another crucial one.

Frank’s side are reportedly trying to hijack Man United’s move for Bryan Mbeumo, but that is not all.

The 51-year-old has already recommended Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to Tottenham, according to GiveMeSport, and it is now reported that he’s also a fan of Nottingham Forest playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White.

Thomas Frank "pushing" Tottenham to move for Morgan Gibbs-White

That is according to journalist Sebastien Vidal, who claims that Frank is “pushing” for Tottenham to sign Gibbs-White in a “statement” move.

The England international, despite this report that a £51 million deal is possible, is likely to cost far more. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have him under contract for another two years, with other reports claiming Forest could demand as much as £100 million for him this summer.

Gibbs-White was a superstar player for Forest during their unlikely push for Champions League football last season, bagging seven goals and 10 assists in all competitions, so Spurs will have to seriously dig deep into their pockets to get them talking.

Manchester United could now make a move for one of Real Madrid’s top targets, having been left impressed during scouting missions, according to a report.

Man Utd ringing the changes ahead of important summer

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, this summer could be one of the most important in Man United’s modern history, and INEOS have already started to ring the changes, signing Matheus Cunha and making a key off-field decision.

It has now been revealed that Jason Wilcox has taken up the role of sporting director, which had been vacant since Dan Ashworth’s departure last November, and the 53-year-old has a big rebuilding job on his hands over the next few months.

Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Marcus Rashford are among the forwards who could leave, with the latter being widely linked with Barcelona, which means it could be important for the Red Devils to bring in more attacking options, despite having already signed Cunha.

Man Utd hold secret talks to swap Sancho for "generational" £75m PL forward

The Red Devils have held discussions over a swap deal involving Jadon Sancho…

ByDominic Lund Jun 4, 2025

According to a report from Caught Offside, one attacking midfielder who Man United scouts have been left impressed by is Como’s Nico Paz, having monitored the 20-year-old’s progress in Italy this season.

The Red Devils could make a move for Paz, but Real Madrid’s interest could be an obstacle, with the Spanish heavyweights identifying the youngster as a top target, given that new manager Xabi Alonso is believed to be a huge fan.

As such, Madrid could be tempted to trigger the €8m (£7m) buy-back clause and sign their former player, although the Tenerife-born maestro may only be willing to move back to Spain if he receives guarantees over his first-team place.

"Exceptional" Paz could be ready to join top club

It is little wonder that Madrid are looking to sign the Argentina international for a bargain fee, considering he enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season in Serie A last term, picking up six goals and nine assists in 35 outings.

The starlet’s attacking numbers certainly catch the eye, but perhaps equally impressive is the fact he is also willing to pitch in defensively, having displayed his ability to win back possession on a regular basis over the past year.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

1.71 (81st percentile)

Interceptions

0.70 (88th percentile)

Blocks

1.64 (96th percentile)

It is evident to see why Alonso is so fond of the Como star, and he is not the only former Madrid star who appreciates the Argentine, with Toni Kroos previously saying: “This lad (Nico Paz) should be training with us every day because he’s exceptional.”

Paz could be a fantastic long-term addition to Ruben Amorim’s squad, but it could be difficult to compete for his signature with Real Madrid, given the allure of playing for the Spanish side.

Kieran Tierney is back at Celtic.

On Tuesday, the club officially confirmed Tierney’s return to Parkhead, re-joining on a free transfer, six years after he departed Glasgow initially, heading for Arsenal.

Safe to say, Celtic supporters are excited to see the beloved left-back bedecked in green and white hoops again, but could Brendan Rodgers now land a winger to play in front of the returning hometown hero?

Celtic chasing a new winger

So, with Tierney through the door and the Bhoys chasing more recruits, who’s up next at Paradise?

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Well, according to a report by RMC SPORT, Celtic are ‘back in the race’ to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer, adding that ‘discussions regarding personal terms’ have already begun.

The Hoops have a long-standing interest in the winger, with Royal Antwerp general manager Sven Jaecques admitting that they had been negotiating with both Celtic and Stade Rennais last summer, only for Balikwisha to suffer an injury that curtailed these talks.

Well, as outlined by Manuel Meza of Sports Illustrated, Balikwisha now has just one year remaining on his contract with Antwerp, hence why the Belgian outfit ‘are looking to cash in’, especially after they failed to qualify for Europe, defeated 2-1 by Royal Charleroi in a Jupiler Pro League play-off at Bosuilstadion last month.

According to Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old is worth around £5m, having been valued at close to double that as recently as December 2023, so could he be on his way to Glasgow?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

A Belgian U21 international, Balikwisha made his professional debut for Standard Liège, before joining Royal Antwerp in 2021, making 141 appearances for the Reds, scoring 29 goals and registering 17 assists.

He was a key figure in the Antwerp side that won the league and Coupe de Belgique double in 2022/23, Antwerp’s first Belgian title since 1957, before scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League the following season.

Balikwisha’s career has been blighted by injuries in more recent times, requiring knee surgery in January 2024, before making just 17 appearances this season due to a torn thigh muscle, albeit he started each of Antwerp’s final 11 fixtures of the campaign.

So, let’s assess his statistics.

Minutes

1,784

99th

Goals

7

17th

Assists

6

9th

Progressive carries

85

10th

Carries into penalty area

34

9th

Shot-creating actions

69

30th

Goal-creating actions

10

13th

Big chances created

6

40th

Key passes per match

1.5

24th

Average SofaScore rating

7.32

14th

As the table shows, Balikwisha generally ranks very highly for all the attacking metrics included, which is very impressive considering that he missed seven matches due to injury during the 2023/24 campaign, as well as the fact that the Jupiler Pro League is the eighth-strongest division in the world, according to Global Football Rankings.

Analyst Ben Mattinson describes him as a “two-footed” left-wing who is certainly “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes he operates best as an “inside forward”, praising his “pace, dribbling and finishing” as his main attributes.

Thus, one can certainly envisage Balikwisha and Tierney linking up well together down the Celts’ left-hand side. The Scot was simply sublime in green and white last time, registering as many as 37 assists. Safe to say he was one of the best left-sided players in the whole country.

Now, with the returning hero bombing down the left flank again, as is very much his want, the Belgian would be given the license to cut inside and get shots away.

On paper at least, it sounds like they would form a devastating duo.

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